Liverpool vs Norwich: Sadio Mane ‘an option’ despite completing just two training sessions with teammates

Liverpool open the new Premier League campaign by hosting newly-promoted Norwich City at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp has described Sadio Mane as “an option” for Liverpool’s opening Premier League game of the season, but could not confirm if the forward will play a part in Friday night’s match with Norwich City after only returning to training at the start of the week.

Mane has had just two training sessions with the first-team after being given time off following the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations, resulting in the 27-year-old missing last Sunday’s Community Shield defeat against Manchester City.

But despite missing training on Monday and being restricted to an individual session on Tuesday, Klopp will consider including the Senegalese in his matchday squad for Friday’s encounter at Anfield.

“He had only two weeks off, so he didn’t lose a lot and that’s the good news,” Klopp said at a press conference on Thursday.

“He looks fit. Yes, he is an option. Yesterday was the first session with the team because Monday he came in about four o’clock or so when we’d already left and Tuesday the team was off and he had his individual session.

“He was now with the team for the first time (on Wednesday) and looks absolutely ok, in good spirits and looking forward to it.

“So, yes, he’s an option but we will see.”

Klopp also issued an update on the condition of vice-captain James Milner after he also missed the City clash, though the midfielder looks set to feature against the newly-promoted Canaries.

“[He is] good,” the Liverpool manager added. “Millie trained yesterday with the team 100 per cent. He would have probably trained on Tuesday with the team, but we were not in.

“He will be fine.”

Mane returned to Liverpool training on Tuesday (Getty)

With Klopp confirming that he has no other injury concerns on his hands, he has been able to fully prepare this week for the visit of Daniel Farke’s side – which sees a German head-to-head in the manager’s dugout.

And with Norwich back in the top flight for the first time since the 2015/16 campaign, Klopp knows how much a threat his side will face when the season gets underway.

"The first game of the season is always difficult," he said. "Norwich have a clear plan and they have all my respect.

"These fixtures are always the banana skins. If you are not at 100 per cent you will slip."